Recycling Sorter Salary
Salary Breakdown
Recycling Sorter Pay Per Hour
A recycling sorter in waste management earns an average of $16.50 per hour. The table below converts every annual figure on this page to an hourly, weekly and monthly equivalent at a standard 2080-hour work year (40 hours a week, 52 weeks), so you can compare an hourly job posting directly against an advertised annual salary.
| Level | Per Hour | Per Week | Per Month | Per Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Entry level | $12.98 | $519 | $2,250 | $27,000 |
| Low end | $13.46 | $538 | $2,333 | $28,000 |
| Average | $16.50 | $654 | $2,833 | $34,000 |
| High end | $20.19 | $808 | $3,500 | $42,000 |
| Senior / top of scale | $21.63 | $865 | $3,750 | $45,000 |
Hourly, weekly and monthly columns are calculated from the annual figures in this guide (annual ÷ 2080 hours, ÷ 52 weeks and ÷ 12 months). They describe base pay only. Overtime, shift differentials and bonuses are not included.
Top Paying Cities
| City | State | Avg. Salary |
|---|---|---|
| San Francisco | CA | $42,000 |
| Seattle | WA | $39,000 |
| New York | NY | $38,000 |
| Portland | OR | $37,000 |
| Boston | MA | $36,000 |
About This Role
Recycling sorters work at material recovery facilities (MRFs) to separate recyclable materials from waste streams. They identify and sort plastics, metals, paper, and glass on conveyor belts, ensuring contamination levels stay low. This role is essential for maintaining the quality of recycled commodities.
Key Skills
Certifications
Entry-Level Pay and Getting Hired With No Experience
Sorting is one of the most accessible entry points in the whole industry. No licence, degree or prior experience is normally required. Material recovery facilities hire on reliability and physical fitness and train new sorters on the line, usually within their first few shifts. Safety orientation and PPE training are provided by the employer.
Entry-level pay for this role starts around $27,000 a year, about $12.98 an hour, or roughly $2,250 a month before overtime. That is $7,000 below the national average for the role, which is the gap experience, certifications and location close over time.
Other waste management roles that regularly hire without prior industry experience: CDL Driver ($26.50/hr), Diesel Mechanic / Fleet Technician ($30.00/hr), Hazmat Waste Handler ($25.00/hr) and Sales / Account Manager ($33.00/hr).
See entry-level recycling jobs hiring now →Part-Time Recycling Sorter Work
MRFs run in shifts and staff up around seasonal volume peaks, so part-time, temp-to-hire and second-shift sorting slots are common. Agency and seasonal placements are frequently used as a route into a permanent position.
Because part-time schedules in this role are normally paid at the same hourly rate as full-time ones, the $16.50 average hourly figure above is the right number to plan against. Multiply it by the hours you expect rather than scaling down the $34,000 annual figure, which assumes a full 2080-hour year.
Waste management roles with the most part-time and weekend availability: CDL Driver ($26.50/hr), Helper / Laborer ($15.50/hr) and Admin / Office ($20.00/hr).
Search part-time recycling jobs →Union Pay Scale for Recycling Sorters
Union representation varies sharply by facility. Publicly owned MRFs and larger operations in unionised metros are often covered by a collective bargaining agreement, while many privately run and temp-staffed facilities are not. Where a contract exists it sets the wage scale and progression steps; ask the facility or the local whether the site is organised before assuming either.
One important caveat: the figures on this page are national averages across union and non-union employers alike. They are not a union wage scale. Actual scale rates are set contract by contract and local by local, they change when an agreement is renegotiated, and the only authoritative source is the current agreement itself. Request it from the local or the employer’s HR department before you rely on a number.
Other commonly unionised waste management roles: CDL Driver, Diesel Mechanic / Fleet Technician and Helper / Laborer.
Job Outlook
The recycling industry continues to grow as municipalities expand curbside programs and corporate sustainability goals drive demand for recycled materials. Automation is increasing at MRFs, but human sorters remain critical for quality control and handling complex material streams. Entry-level opportunities are widely available with on-the-job training.
Recycling Jobs Hiring Now
- General Laborer Recycling CrewContractNetZero Recycling · Santa Fe, NM
- Scrap Metal WorkerFull-TimeAlpha Shredding Group, Inc · Trenton, NJ
- MRF Sorter -2nd ShiftFull-TimeLakeshore Recycling Systems · Chicago, IL
- Recycling Technician - Class B DriverFull-TimeMETRO WASTE AUTHORITY · Mitchellville, IA
- SorterFull-TimeRepublic Services · King of Prussia, PA
Recycling Sorter Career Path & Salary Expectations
A career as a recycling sorter in the waste management industry offers a clear trajectory from entry-level positions starting around $27,000 per year to senior roles earning $45,000 or more annually. With the national average sitting at $34,000 ($16.50/hr), professionals in this field can expect competitive compensation that grows with experience, certifications, and geographic location. Top-paying markets like San Francisco offer salaries as high as $42,000. Whether you are just entering the waste and recycling industry or looking to advance your career, investing in relevant skills and certifications is the most reliable path to higher earning potential in this essential and growing sector.
Put another way, the average works out to about $16.50 an hour, $654 a week or $2,833 a month on a full 2080-hour year, before the overtime, shift premiums and bonuses covered above. To compare this role against the rest of the industry, see the full waste management salary guide, or go straight to recycling openings and every waste management job on the board.